Job
creation was at the forefront of Wednesday’s State of the State address
by Gov. Bruce Rauner, who also called for the passage of pension reform
and property tax relief, and the end of the state’s 7-month old
budget stalemate.

“We
have the ability to lead the nation in growth and opportunity, and yet,
jobs and people are leaving our state,” Rauner said. “And we watch
other states emerge from the Great Recession, while our employment and
growth stagnates. We have fewer jobs today than we had at the turn of
this century.”

Dale Fowler,
Republican candidate for the seat in Senate District 59 and mayor of
Harrisburg, said business development is essential in keeping Illinois
profitable. He said his time in the banking industry gives him a unique
perspective in this situation.

“I’m not sure if people really understand how rapidly companies are moving out, and or, are planning to do so,” Fowler told Illinois Business Daily. “That’s the part that scares me, probably more than anything at this stage.”

Illinois
must work harder to compete with other states for jobs, Rauner said. He
also called for reforming the state’s workers’ compensation program,
saying the cost of workers’ comp is “the biggest factor driving our job
losses.”

Another
issue facing state finances is pension reform. Rauner announced
Wednesday he has worked closely with Senate President John Cullerton to
create a bipartisan bill that would save the state $1 billion.

Fowler said he’s optimistic about the proposal.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Fowler
said. “Reform, it’s imperative. I think we all know that so I’m glad to
hear that this sounds like they’re coming to a compromise.”

Another
hot issue in the state right now relates to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (ASFCME) and merit pay.
Wednesday, the governor called for unions to help foster a sense of
competition in the market, a viewpoint many fellow Republicans have
echoed.

As a state employee, Fowler said he was part of a union and received merit pay and thinks it is a valid form of incentive.

“If
it’s handled properly by the administration - I would like to read the
full language of that - and good faith is put into the administration to
preserve it, I think there could be some rewards with that,” Fowler said.

In
his speech, Rauner called on state lawmakers to act with “mutual
respect” in working to pass the gridlocked budget. He said there is
still time for Illinois to make historic progress.

Democrat incumbent state Sen. Gary Forby, who represents District 59, said motivational speeches aren’t how budgets get passed.

“We want a budget," Forby told Illinois Business Daily. "He needs to put something in writing and let us vote on it. That is the only way you get anything done in Springfield. You don’t
get anything done up there talking like he did today. Put it in writing
and let every legislator in the state of Illinois vote on it.”

The feeling from those outside the chambers is that the budget could finally be nearing completion.

“I think we’re closer,” Fowler
said. “It sounds like from the feedback I’ve been getting that they’re
inching their way there. I feel like it’s a little more positive today
than it was yesterday.”

Inside the capitol, Forby said talk is cheap - that his fellow Democrats want to see action from the governor.

“I
think what he’s done for the last year is talk and he hasn’t done
nothing,” Forby said. “Put something in writing, let us vote on it. He
is talking about all districts in the state of Illinois want this and
want that -- let everybody in their district vote and then you’ll know
what the state of Illinois wants.”

Rauner
also pushed for term limits on elected officials and for redistricting
reform. He also announced plans for sweeping changes in the public
education system that he says would put more money into classrooms and
hold schools accountable for their performance.

Fowler
said on personal level for District 59, he was most excited to hear
about prison reform. The governor announced plans laid out by a
bipartisan commission to safely reduce the state’s prison population by
25 percent by 2025.

“These
and other reforms will lead to fewer victims of crimes, a better
pathway back for ex-offenders and safer communities for all,” Rauner
said.

Fowler said he is enthusiastic about what impact these reforms could have on District 59.

“Here
in our district, we have three work camps that have been closed in the
last few years so hopefully there is some opportunity there to reform
the inmates along with services and more structure and procedure for
them,” he said. “That was promising because we’re so reliant on state
government here in the 59th district that these facilities that have
closed have made a substantial economic impact in our area.”

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